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Ten Thousand Waves

Fodor's Hotel Awards 2010 Best Resort or Destination Spas  |  Winning Attributes

At a Glance

    Pros

  • artful furnishings
  • peaceful setting
  • warm service

    Cons

  • a bit remote, especially considering lack of a restaurant
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Fodorite Reviews

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Ten Thousand Waves Review

Devotees appreciate the authentic onsen (Japanese-style baths)atmosphere of this health spa and small hotel a few miles northeast of town. Twelve light and airy hillside cottages are settled down a piñon-covered hill below the first-rate spa, which is tremendously popular with day visitors. The sleek, uncluttered accommodations have marble or stone wood-burning fireplaces, CD stereos, fine woodwork, low-slung beds or futons, and courtyards or patios; two come with full kitchens. There's also a cozy, vintage Airstream Bambi trailer available at much lower rates ($139 nightly)—with its ultramod interior, it's a kitschy, fun alternative to the much pricier cottages. The facility has private and communal indoor and outdoor hot tubs and spa treatments. Overnight guests can use the communal tubs for free. The snack bar serves sushi and other healthful treats. Ask about the Japanese movie nights.

2010 Fodor's 100 Hotel Award Winner

With peaceful, streamlined Asian-style gardens and architecture, you feel more as if you're on a mountain retreat in Japan than one in New Mexico. Indeed, Japanese onsen (thermal baths) were the inspiration for this spa, which has plenty of places for you to soak—communally or privately, indoors or out. Treatments also reflect Asia. Consider the Nose to Toes therapy with its Japanese head, neck, shoulder, and foot rubs; Thai stretching; and Polynesian lomi lomi massage.

    Hotel Details

  • 12 cottages, 1 trailer.
  • Credit cards accepted.
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Fodorite Reviews

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    Ten Thousand Waves Review

    This last review is really an anomaly. I've been going to Ten Thousand Waves for years and it's wonderful. I've just made reservations to spend our 30th anniversary there Thanksgiving weekend. I'll review it again then, but I already know it'll be a wonderful experience. And maybe that will counteract the grouch who gave it 1 star. I'm making my ranking on previous experiences there.

    by LindaMcA, 11/2/11
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    Ten Thousand Waves Review

    how can this be listed as a top spa destination if it has such a terrible review? Who picked this place?

    by msbeckie, 8/26/10
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    10000 people getting massages

    I recently made a visit to Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe (January 2, 2009) expecting first class service. Instead, I got the worst massage experience I've ever had. 1) First, to get anywhere on the complex, you have to walk everywhere outside, in only a robe, uphill, in freezing cold weather. 2) Second, I booked a 80 minute massage a recieved a ~40 minute massage. 3) Third, the massage therapist, Frank, spent no time on my hands, feet, or front side of my body. He only massaged my back, the back of arms and the back of my legs. 4) Fourth, when I finished I brought this to the attention of the supervisor (who was on break and I had to wait for 15 minutes to show up) and nothing was done to compensate my horrible and expensive experience. 5) Finally, the place was like a "meat market" of people. It felt more like a cattle farm than a peaceful place to relax. With so much competition in Santa Fe and surrounding area for Spas, I recommend skipping this high dollar, poor service, terrible experience place!!!

    by cvenuk, 1/7/09

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